Radioactive material from nuclear bombs made during World War II is contaminating an elementary school Monday. It’s not happening in Nagasaki or Hiroshima, but in suburban St. Louis, Missouri.
In August, samples were taken at Jana Elementary School. The school sits in the floodplain of Coldwater Creek, which was contaminated by nuclear waste in the 1940s. The waste was dumped at sites near the St. Louis Lambert International Airport, next to the Missouri River tributary.
According to a report from Boston Chemical Data Corp., samples from the school’s classrooms, library, kitchen, playing fields and playground all showed shockingly high levels of radioactive isotope lead-210, polonium, radium and other toxins.
Inhaling or ingesting these materials can cause significant injuries, leading to things like leukemia or bone and lung cancer.
According to the report, “a significant remedial program will be required to bring conditions at the school in line with expectations.” The Army Corps of Engineers has been cleaning up Coldwater Creek for more than 20 years.
Missouri’s Hazelwood School District posted on Twitter that the Board of Education is consulting with attorneys and experts to determine next steps for the school.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
